Quest Diagnostics partnering with Walmart for lab testing

sgraham30 · ‎03-14-2010

Has anyone else gotten a letter from Quest stating that a location is closing because Quest is partnering with Walmart? I received a letter earlier this week stating that the location that i normally go to is closing August 1st, which is next Wednesday.

It stated that we're now to go to a Quest Patient Service Center located in a specific Walmart for all of our lab testing needs. I HATE going to Walmart for anything, their parking lot seems to be full no matter what time of day you go there. The current testing center is closer to home for me & it's down the road from the Costco that I usually go to.

As you might have surmised, I don't like change, especially when it makes doing something more inconvenient for me. I know this isn't about me, I'm just venting, life will go on.

VaBelle35 · ‎03-10-2010

This is the new business model.

It's sold as a convenience for you ("you're going to Walmart anyway") but it's a win for Walmart as it makes money for them since you will probably buy something while you are there.

I'm surprised 7-11 hasn't gotten in on the clinic/testing bandwagon.

===================================
QVC Shopper - 1993

# IAMTEAMWEN

jlkz · ‎12-02-2013

@VaBelle35

7-11 stores that I have been in simply do not have the floor space to accommodate testing stations. Too, I doubt that I would even go there or to a WalMart for that type procedure.

About 2 years ago, Blue Cross dropped Quest from their coverage....now it’s LabCorp.

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill

sgraham30 · ‎03-14-2010

@VaBelle35 wrote:
This is the new business model.

It's sold as a convenience for you ("you're going to Walmart anyway") but it's a win for Walmart as it makes money for them since you will probably buy something while you are there.

I'm surprised 7-11 hasn't gotten in on the clinic/testing bandwagon.

That would be great........except for the fact that I don't shop at Walmart, so for me, this is actually an inconvenience. When I had an rx there, I'd go in, pick up the rx & leave. I don't like Walmart, haven't shopped at one in nearly 10 years. Maybe it's time to find out where my nearest Labcorp location is.

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

Years ago I used Quest - super convenient because they are in the same building as my GP and I could walk there if I were so inclined. Then my insurance company took them off network. They are certainly not the only game in town so I switched to LabCorp. For several years. the office closest to me was clean and efficient and the staff knew how to make people feel relaxed.

Now it's just inertia that keeps me going there because with Medicare as my primary, I could go back to Quest which for now at least is still where it's always been. If they go with Walmart, that's about a 10-mile drive. I do believe I've been in that Walmart twice in the 25+ years it's existed there, so no, I'm not changing just yet.

I can drive to Lab Corp almost as they open, have my blood drawn, and be back in the kitchen for my AM coffee often in less than half an hour most visits.

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@jlkz - we have Empire BC/BS and Quest is still listed an in-network for us, however there are none in our state, same for LabCorp.

I had a heck of a time trying to find a different one in our network, close to home. I had to go through pages and pages to find one.

I wasn't spending $15 to cross the bridge and the travel time to get to a Quest or LabCorp.

Cakers3 · ‎06-17-2015

Our PCP draws our blood at the office and sends it out. We've never had to go to an off-site lab. I hope it stays this way.

"" Compassion is a verb."-Thich Nhat Hanh

sgraham30 · ‎03-14-2010

@Cakers3 wrote:
Our PCP draws our blood at the office and sends it out. We've never had to go to an off-site lab. I hope it stays this way.

None of the doctors that I see offer in office blood draws, so I have to go to a Quest or Labcorp location to have it done.

Cakers3 · ‎06-17-2015

@sgraham30 wrote:
@Cakers3 wrote:
Our PCP draws our blood at the office and sends it out. We've never had to go to an off-site lab. I hope it stays this way.

None of the doctors that I see offer in office blood draws, so I have to go to a Quest or Labcorp location to have it done.

@sgraham30 That's too bad. It really is convenient to have everything done in one place.

I would hate the idea of having to go to Wal-Mart although right now our PCP doesn't use Quest for us.

"" Compassion is a verb."-Thich Nhat Hanh

Snowpuppy · ‎03-09-2010

I recently used Quest and it was a good experience.

Located next to an urgent care facility, I made an appt on my lunch hour. They took me as an appt before taking 2 walkins ahead of me. My dr will fax my order for bloodwork to me and I walk it into the lab.

I don't shop WM either so if there is a change like this coming, I'll find another lab. It ticks me off to no end the shady stuff retailers do to get yoou to spend the almighty dollar.